He's going to chew paan, sport a country bumpkin gone nouveau riche look and speak Bambaiya Hindi. It will probably take a die hard Anuj Saxena fan to take to his new look as Manik in <em>Kumkum Ek Pyara Sa Bandhan</em> as the afternoon Star Plus show takes a twist on Wednesday. We hear that Anuj, who has been playing a returned-from-obscurity Jatin, will be revealed to be an imposter.

It's held strong among the top 50 shows on television for nearly three years now, inspite of never succumbing to the lure of a TRP tempting 'leap'. But afternoon show <em>Kumkum</em> seems to be swimming in troubled waters currently, although the production house promises that the show is poised for a high point by the end of February. The BAG Films serial had its entire creative unit changed, right from the director to the scriptwriters. This happened soon after Anuj Saxena was brought back into the show as the sophisticated Jatin in early December.

Aman Verma is all set to enter the <em>Ek Ladki Anjaani Si</em> track shortly. He will play a character who spies on Ananya, (who has Nikhil's baby) and reports it to the police. He plays Nikhil's( played by Shakti Anand)old college friend who is hired to solve Nikhil's problems and do a lot of things for him. His character in the show is called Surya Pratap Yadav. It is reportedly a long track. Aman has already started shooting for the show. The actor has not yet shot with Kanchi Kaul(Anu in the show). He will be on air from Monday,20 February.

Arun Govil, whose claim to fame was his portrayal of Ram more than a decade ago, will play the lead in DD1's <em>Woh Hue Naa Hamaare</em>. The first episode aired on 2 February at 8:30 pm. The show will be aired every Thursday and Friday. It's the story of an individual who is torn between love and loyalty. Gulrez and Damini Shetty will be seen in pivotal roles in the show. The show is being produced by BAG films and is directed by Chander Behl. "The show has brilliant performances from all the actors and all of them have equal importance in the story," says Behl.

<em>Kumkum</em> will air a one hour special afternoon episode featuring all the lead couples of other Star Plus afternoon shows making an appearance with a song and dance number.

Shamma Sikander is one lucky girl when it comes to having surprises from her friends. The leading lady of <em>Ye Meri Life Hai</em>, who celebrates her birthday today, is anxious about being taken in by surprise at the hands of her friends, yet again. "My friends give me out of the blue bolt surprises each year on my birthday, but each time I find out that they are planning something. This time again I know that something is up so I'm anticipating." she quips.

Tassnim Sheikh, who plays the charming yet manipulating bahu in the Virani household, has allegedly fallen prey to an obsessive fan. The mystery caller, who calls himself her fan and admirer, has been making life miserable through weird text messages, claims Tassnim, who recently re-entered <em>Kumkum</em> as Renuka. This is not the first time that the actress has gone through this kind of an ordeal. One and a half years ago too, a fan had tried to harass her in a similar fashion and had relented when Tassnim threatened to call in the cops.

Star Plus's afternoon offering, <em>Kumkum</em> completed three years yesterday. The show, a BAG brain child, has not taken a single year leap in its three year run. This seems to be cause to a rather unanimous sigh of relief from its star cast.

Remember the shrewd, scheming manupulating dame in Star Plus' Kumkum? Renuka, the character played by Tassnim Sheikh, is back with a vengence in the show. "Yes, I am back in Kumkum, and the track is still negative. I have always enjoyed playing Renuka since it is an interesting character," says Tassnim, who currently plays Mohini in <em>Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi</em>.

For those clued into the trials and travails of <em>Kumkum</em>, here's heartbreaking news. Kumkum, the lead protagonist, is all set to leave the Wadhwa homestead in the coming week. The walkout is prompted by the machinations of Salil, son of the family friend Akash Patel, who helped the Wadhwa get back their mansion and honour. He is behind Abha’s murder which only Kumkum knows. But Salil, clever that he is, has won over the trust of Sumeet and the Wadhwa family and proves himself innocent.